Viewing shopping information on a network based social platform

ABSTRACT

A system for viewing shopping information on a social networking platform is disclosed. At the social networking platform, the system receives a request from a user device corresponding to a first user of the social networking platform to view a list of a second user of the social networking platform. The list may include items offered for transaction on a network-based commerce server. In response to receiving the request from the user device, the system forwards the request to the network-based commerce server, and then receives updated information for at least one item on the list from the network-based corner server. Then, the system communicates the updated information received from the network-based commerce server to the user device.

RELATED APPLICATONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/411,346, filed May 14, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/865,894, filed Jan. 9, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,339,613, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/720,814, filed May 24, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,892,471, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/858,495, filed Apr. 8,2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,043,227, which application is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 13/033,354, filed Feb. 23, 2011, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,417,577, which application is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/963,426, filed on Dec. 21, 2007, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,945,482, which claims the priority benefits of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/957,645, filed Aug. 23, 2007, each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to the technical field of datacommunications and, in one example embodiment, to communications over anetwork.

BACKGROUND

Applications available on the Internet have progressed from facilitatinga medium of information delivery to a venue for sales and more recentlyto a platform for social networking. Online market places such asAmazon.com and eBay.com are examples of online sellers. Similarly,mySpace.com and Facebook.com are examples of social networking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a network diagram depicting a system, according to one exampleembodiment, having a client-server architecture;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating social applications, according toan embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a database, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating marketplace and paymentapplications, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a high-level entity-relationship diagram, illustrating varioustables stored on a database(s);

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a user table, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an items table, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a method, according to anembodiment, to view a list;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method, according to anembodiment, to determine whether a user is authorized to view a list;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a method, according to anembodiment, to receive control information for viewing a list;

FIGS. 11-16 are diagrams illustrating user interfaces, according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a machine, according to an exampleembodiment, including instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will beevident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosuremay be practiced without these specific details.

In some example embodiments, a system and method for viewing shoppinginformation on a network-based social platform is illustrated. At anetwork-based social platform, a request may be received from a firstuser of the network-based social platform to view a list associated witha second user on the network-based social platform. The list may includeone or more items and facilitate watching the items in real time on thenetwork-based social platform to monitor the progress of an auction oran immediate purchase of the item on the network-based marketplace. Forexample, the list may include items for which a bid has been submittedby the second user in respective auctions on the network-basedmarketplace 12. Next, the system may determine whether the first user isauthorized to view the list associated with the second user based on apredetermined relationship between the first and second user. Forexample, the predetermined relationship may have been consensuallyestablished by the first and second users on the network-based socialplatform and may, in some embodiments, include the relationship “friend”or “favorite friend.” Further, the second user may configure a leveldisclosure preventing display of specific items on requested list orspecific information of items on the list. Finally, the system maycommunicate the list of items to the first user based on the configuredlevel of disclosure. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a first user on anetwork-based social platform may view shopping information concerningan item on a network-based marketplace that is being monitored on a listby a second user on the network-based social platform.

Platform Architecture

FIG. 1 is a network diagram depicting a system 10, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure, having a client-server and apeer-to peer architecture. The system 10 facilitates shopping activity,in the exemplary form of a network-based marketplace 12, and anetwork-based social platform 13 that communicate over a network 14. Inone embodiment, the network-based marketplace 12 and the network-basedsocial platform 13 communicate in peer-to peer architecture viaprogrammatic interfaces. Further, the network-based marketplace 12 andthe network-based social platform 13 respectively communicate inclient-server architecture with clients. The network-based marketplace12, provides server-side functionality, via the network 14 (e.g., theInternet), to the one or more client machines 20 and 22. Similarly, thenetwork-based social platform 13 provides server-side functionality, viathe network 14 (e.g., the Internet), to the one or more client machines20 and 22. FIG. 1 illustrates, for example, a web client 16 (e.g., abrowser, such as the Internet Explorer browser developed by MicrosoftCorporation of Redmond, Washington State), and a programmatic client 18executing on respective client machines 20 and 22.

Turning specifically to the network-based social platform 13, anapplication program interface (API) server 25 and a web server 27 arecoupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to,one or more application servers 29. The application servers 29 may hostone or more social applications 31 and a network-based marketplaceinterface module 33 that communicates with a communication module 39 anda processing module 41. The application servers 28 are, in turn, shownto be coupled to one or more databases servers 35 that facilitate accessto one or more databases 37.

The social applications 31 provide a number of social networkingfunctions and services to users that access the network-based socialplatform 13. For example, the social applications 31 may enable a userto store information in a profile that may be viewed at the clientmachines 20, 22 and to selectively grant access to information thatappears on the profile to other users who may also view the profile attheir client machines 20, 22. The social applications 31 may providecriteria that may be employed by a user to grant various levels ofaccess to various levels of users. For example, a first user may accessprofile information associated with a second user responsive to thefirst user achieving the status of “friend” in relation to a seconduser. A user may achieve the status of friend by accepting an invitationfrom another user or by sending a request to a user that subsequentlygrants the request.

The social applications 31 may further enable third party serviceproviders to add “applications” on the network-based social platform 13that are utilized by users to interact with other users. For example, anetwork-based marketplace application may be added by a third partyservice provider in the form of the network-based marketplace interfacemodule 33, the communication module 39, and the processing module 41that may provide market application services in the network-based socialplatform 13 environment and may communicate with the network-basedmarketplace 12.

In one embodiment, a request related to the marketplace application maybe generally processed as follows. The request may originate at theclient machines 20, 22 that communicates the request via programmatic orweb interface services 25, 27 to the social applications 31 that, inturn, communicate the request to the network-based marketplace interfacemodule 33 that, in turn, communicates the request to the communicationmodule 39 and processing module 41 that process the request. Conversely,the communication module 39 and processing module 41 may respond to thesocial applications 31 via the network-based marketplace interfacemodule 33. In some instances processing of the request may requirecommunication with the network-based marketplace 12. In such instancesthe communication module 41 may communicate via the API interface 25with the network-based marketplace 12.

The network-based social platform 13 may be embodied as FACEBOOK®services, a social utility that connects people with friends and otherswho work, study and live around them provided by Facebook of Palo Alto,Calif.

The web client 16, it will be appreciated, accesses the various socialapplications 31 via the web interface supported by the web server 27.Similarly, the programmatic client 18 accesses the various services andfunctions provided by the social applications 31 via the programmaticinterface provided by the API server 25.

Turning to the network-based marketplace 12, an application programinterface (API) server 24 and a web server 26 are coupled to, andprovide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to, one or moreapplication servers 28. The application servers 28 host one or moremarketplace applications 30 and payment applications 32.The applicationservers 28 are, in turn, shown to be coupled to one or more databasesservers 34 that facilitate access to one or more databases 36.

The marketplace applications 30 provide a number of marketplacefunctions and services to users that access the marketplace 12. Thepayment applications 32 likewise provide a number of payment servicesand functions to users. The payment applications 32 may allow users toquantify for, and accumulate, value (e.g., in a commercial currency,such as the U.S. dollar, or a proprietary currency, such as “points”) inaccounts, and then later to redeem the accumulated value for products(e.g., goods or services) that are made available via the marketplaceapplications 30. While the marketplace and payment applications 30 and32 are shown in FIG. 1 to both form part of the network-basedmarketplace 12, it will be appreciated that, in alternative embodimentsof the present disclosure, the payment applications 32 may form part ofa payment service that is separate and distinct from the marketplace 12.The network-based marketplace 12 may be embodied as eBAY, the worldsonline marketplace, provided by eBay of San Jose, Calif.

Further, while the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 employs a client-serverarchitecture and a peer-to-peer architecture, the present disclosure isof course not limited to such an architecture, and could equally wellfind application in any combination of client-server, distributed, orpeer-to-peer, architecture systems. The various marketplace and paymentapplications 30 and 32 could also be implemented as standalone softwareprograms, which do not necessarily have networking capabilities.

The web client 16, it will be appreciated, accesses the variousmarketplace and payment applications 30 and 32 via the web interfacesupported by the web server 26. Similarly, the programmatic client 18accesses the various services and functions provided by the marketplaceand payment applications 30 and 32 via the programmatic interfaceprovided by the API server 24. The programmatic client 18 may, forexample, be a seller application (e.g., the TurboLister applicationdeveloped by eBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.) to enable sellers to authorand manage listings of items on the marketplace 12 in an off-linemanner, and to perform batch-mode communications between theprogrammatic client 18 and the network-based marketplace 12.

It will be appreciated that the marketplace applications 30, paymentapplications 32, social applications 31, the network-based marketplaceinterface module 33, the communication module 39 and the processingmodule 41 may execute on a single platform. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, the aforementioned applications/modules may execute on thenetwork-based marketplace 12 and in another embodiment theaforementioned applications/module may execute on the network-basedsocial platform 13.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a third party application 38, executing on athird party server machine 40, as having programmatic access to thenetwork-based marketplace 12 via the programmatic interface provided bythe API server 24. For example, the third party application 38 may,utilizing information retrieved from the network-based marketplace 12,support one or more features or functions on a website hosted by thethird party. The third party website may, for example, provide one ormore promotional, marketplace or payment functions that are supported bythe relevant applications of the network-based marketplace 12.

Social Platform Applications

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating social applications 31 thatexecute on the network-based social platform 13, according to anembodiment. The social applications 31 include news feed applications47, profile applications 49, note applications 51, forum applications53, search applications 55, relationship applications 57, networkapplications 59, communication applications 61, account applications 63,photo applications 65, event applications 67 and group applications 69.

The news feed applications 47 publish events associated with the userand friends of the user on the network-based social platform 13. Thenews feed applications 47 may publish the events on the user profile ofa user. For example, the news feed applications 47 may publish theuploading of a photo album by one user on the user profile the user andthe user profiles of friends of the user.

The profile applications 49 may maintain user profiles for each of theusers on the network-based social platform 13. Further, the profileapplications 49 may enable a user to restrict access to selected partsof their profile to prevent viewing by other users. The notesapplications 51 may be used to author notes that may be published onvarious user interfaces.

The forum applications 53 may maintain a forum for users to postcomments and display the forum via the profile associated with a user.The user may add comments to the forum, remove comments from the forumand restrict visibility to other users. In addition, other users maypost comments to the forum. The search applications 55 may enable a userto perform a keyword search for users, groups, and events. In addition,the search applications 55 may enable a user to search for content (e.g.favorite movies) on profiles accessible to the user.

The relationship applications 57 may maintain relationship informationfor the users. The network applications 59 may facilitate the additionof social networks by a user, the social networks based on a school,workplace, or region or any social construct for which the user mayprove an affiliation. The communication applications 61 may processincoming and outgoing messages, maintain an inbox for each user,facilitate sharing of content, facilitate interaction among friends(e.g., poking), process requests, process events, process groupinvitations and process communicating notifications.

The account applications 63 may provide services to facilitateregistering, updating, and deleting user accounts. The photoapplications 65 may provide services to upload photographs, arrangephotographs, set privacy options for albums and tag photographs withtext strings. The event applications 67 provides services to createevents, review upcoming events, and review past events. The groupapplications 69 may be used to maintain group information, display groupinformation, and navigate to groups.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a database 37, according to anembodiment, at a network-based social platform 13. The database 37 isshown to store user profile information 42 for each user on thenetwork-based social platform 13. The user profile information 42 maystore relationship information 43 and list information 45. Therelationship information 43 may store predetermined relationshipsbetween the identified user and other users on the network-based socialplatform 13. For example, a first user may be related to second user onthe network-based social platform 13 as a “marketplace community member”or “friend,” or “favourite friend.” etc. The respective designations,“marketplace community member,” “friend,” and “favourite friend” maycorrespond to an increasing levels of disclosure.

The list information 45 may store disclosure preferences of a user foreach of the lists owned and controlled by the user, as discussed furtherlater. The watch preference information 71 may be associated withdisclosure of listings of items on a watch list. The watch list mayinclude items that the user desires to watch. For example, the user maybe interested in a book (e.g., item) that is currently being auctioned.

The bid preference information 73 may be associated with disclosure oflistings for items on a bid list. The bid list may include items forwhich the user has entered a bid.

The won preference information 75 may be associated with disclosure oflistings for items on a won list. The won list may include items thathave been won by the user in an auction.

The selling preference information 79 may be associated with disclosureof listings of items that are on a selling list. The selling list mayinclude items being offered for sale or auction by the user.

The sold preference information 81 may be associated with disclosure oflistings of items that are on a sold list. The sold list may includeitems that were offered for sale or auction by the user and subsequentlysold.

The unsold preference information 83 may be associated with disclosureof listings of items on an unsold list. The unsold list may includeitems that were offered for sale or auction by the user and not sold.

The feedback preference information 85 may be associated with disclosureof feedback records that identify items. The feedback may identify itemstransacted on the network based marketplace 12 and include comments andratings.

The user authorization information 87 may store the preference of a userfor disclosure of item information for listings of items on each of therespective lists. Specifically, the user may prefer to disclose aminimum amount of item information, a maximum amount of iteminformation, or not disclose item information for an item that isconfigured according to predetermined relationships including a“marketplace community member”, a “friend”, and a “favourite friend.” A“marketplace community member” may be a user on the network-based socialplatform 13 that has added the marketplace application but is not a“friend” or a “favourite friend” of the user.

The item filter information 89 may be used to store the preference of auser for disclosing or not disclosing items for each of the respectivelists. For example, the user may disclose items within a specific pricerange (e.g., 0-$0.99, $1.00-$9.99, $10.00-$99.00, etc.). Further forexample, the user may disclose items categorized within a specificcategory (e.g., toys, books, automobiles). With regard to feedbackpreference information 85, the user may elect to disclose feedbackassociated with items within a specific price range and/or category.

The item disclosure information 91 may be used to store the preferenceof a user regarding the quantity of item information that is disclosedfor a specific item on a list. Configurable parameters may include asummary disclosure parameter and a disclosure teaser parameter.Selection of the summary disclosure parameter may cause a maximum ofitem information to be displayed. For example, a photograph and text mayappear with the item on a list. Selection of the teaser disclosureparameter may cause limited item information to be displayed. Forexample, disclosure may be limited to a photograph, graphic, or picturewithout the associated text. One advantage of limiting disclosure may beto prevent competitive bidding on an item. Of course “friends” mayconsent to disclosure of such information, as described herein.

Other embodiments may enable selection of the above described parametersaccording to other identified groups of users (e.g., friends living inSan Jose, etc.). Yet other embodiments may enable selection accordingother groups of listings. Yet other embodiments may enable selection ofthe above described options according combinations of identified groupsof users and identified groups of listings.

Marketplace and Payment Applications

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating multiple marketplace and paymentapplications 30, 32 that, in one exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure, are provided as part of the network-based marketplace 12.The marketplace 12 may provide a number of listing and price-settingmechanisms whereby a seller may list goods or services (e.g., items) forsale, a buyer can express interest in or indicate a desire to purchasesuch goods or services, and a price can be set for a transactionpertaining to the goods or services. To this end, the marketplaceapplications 30 are shown to include one or more auction applications 44which support auction-format listing and price setting mechanisms (e.g.,English, Dutch, Vickrey, Chinese, Double, Reverse auctions etc.). Thevarious auction applications 44 may also provide a number of features insupport of such auction-format listings, such as a reserve price featurewhereby a seller may specify a reserve price in connection with alisting and a proxy-bidding feature whereby a bidder may invokeautomated proxy bidding.

A number of fixed-price applications 46 support fixed-price listingformats (e.g., the traditional classified advertisement-type listing ora catalogue listing) and buyout-type listings. Specifically, buyout-typelistings (e.g., including the Buy-It-Now (BIN) technology developed byeBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.) may be offered in conjunction with anauction-format listing, and allow a buyer to purchase goods or services,which are also being offered for sale via an auction, for a fixed-pricethat is typically higher than the starting price of the auction.

Store applications 48 allow sellers to group their listings within a“virtual” store, which may be branded and otherwise personalized by andfor the sellers. Such a virtual store may also offer promotions,incentives and features that are specific and personalized to a relevantseller.

Reputation applications 50 allow parties that transact utilizing thenetwork-based marketplace 12 to establish, build and maintainreputations, which may be made available and published to potentialtrading partners. Consider that where, for example, the network-basedmarketplace 12 supports person-to-person trading, users may have nohistory or other reference information whereby the trustworthiness andcredibility of potential trading partners may be assessed. Thereputation applications 50 allow a user, for example through feedbackprovided by other transaction partners, to establish a reputation withinthe network-based marketplace 12 over time. Other potential tradingpartners may then reference such a reputation for the purposes ofassessing credibility and trustworthiness.

Personalization applications 52 allow users of the marketplace 12 topersonalize various aspects of their interactions with the marketplace12. For example a user may, utilizing an appropriate personalizationapplication 52, create a personalized reference page at whichinformation regarding transactions to which the user is (or has been) aparty may be viewed. Further, a personalization application 52 mayenable a user to personalize listings and other aspects of theirinteractions with the marketplace 12 and other parties.

In one embodiment, the network-based marketplace 12 may support a numberof marketplaces that are customized, for example, for specificgeographic regions. A version of the marketplace 12 may be customizedfor the United Kingdom, whereas another version of the marketplace 12may be customized for the United States. Each of these versions mayoperate as an independent marketplace, or may be customized (orinternationalized 54) presentations of a common underlying marketplace.

Navigation of the network-based marketplace 12 may be facilitated by oneor more navigation applications 56. For example, a search applicationenables key word searches of listings published via the marketplace 12.A browse application allows users to browse various category, catalogue,or inventory data structures according to which listings may beclassified within the marketplace 12. Various other navigationapplications may be provided to supplement the search and browsingapplications.

In order to make listings, available via the network-based marketplace12, as visually informing and attractive as possible, the marketplaceapplications 30 may include one or more imaging applications 58utilizing which users may upload images for inclusion within listings.An imaging application 58 also operates to incorporate images withinviewed listings. The imaging applications 58 may also support one ormore promotional features, such as image galleries that are presented topotential buyers. For example, sellers may pay an additional fee to havean image included within a gallery of images for promoted items.

Listing creation applications 60 allow sellers conveniently to authorlistings pertaining to goods or services (e.g., items) that they wish totransact via the marketplace 12, and listing management applications 62to allow sellers to manage such listings. Specifically, where aparticular seller has authored and/or published a large number oflistings, the management of such listings may present a challenge. Thelisting management applications 62 provide a number of features (e.g.,auto-relisting, inventory level monitors, etc.) to assist the seller inmanaging such listings. One or more post-listing management applications64 also assist sellers with a number of activities that typically occurpost-listing. For example, upon completion of an auction facilitated byone or more auction applications 44, a seller may wish to leave feedbackregarding a particular buyer. To this end, a post-listing managementapplication 64 may provide an interface to one or more reputationapplications 50, so as to allow the seller conveniently to providefeedback regarding multiple buyers to the reputation applications 50. Inaddition, the post listing management applications 64 may facilitatetracking and organization of listings for a user by maintainingidentified listings in lists. For example, the lists may include watchinformation in the form of identified items that are offered for sale onthe network-based marketplace 12.

Dispute resolution applications 66 provide mechanisms whereby disputesarising between transacting parties may be resolved. For example, thedispute resolution applications 66 may provide guided procedures wherebythe parties are guided through a number of steps in an attempt to settlea dispute. In the event that the dispute cannot be settled via theguided procedures, the dispute may be escalated to a third partymediator or arbitrator.

A number of fraud prevention applications 68 implement various frauddetection and prevention mechanisms to reduce the occurrence of fraudwithin the marketplace 12.

Messaging applications 70 are responsible for the generation anddelivery of messages to users of the network-based marketplace 12, suchmessages for example advising users regarding the status of listings atthe marketplace 12 (e.g., providing “outbid” notices to bidders duringan auction process or to provide promotional and merchandisinginformation to users).

Merchandising applications 72 support various merchandising functionsthat are made available to sellers to enable sellers to increase salesvia the marketplace 12. The merchandising applications 80 also operatethe various merchandising features that may be invoked by sellers, andmay monitor and track the success of merchandising strategies employedby sellers.

The network-based marketplace 12 itself, or one or more parties thattransact via the marketplace 12, may operate loyalty programs that aresupported by one or more loyalty/promotions applications 74. Forexample, a buyer may earn loyalty or promotions points for eachtransaction established and/or concluded with a particular seller, andbe offered a reward for which accumulated loyalty points can beredeemed.

Data Structures

FIG. 5 is a high-level entity-relationship diagram, illustrating varioustables 90 that may be maintained within the databases 36, and that areutilized by and support the marketplace and payment applications 30 and32. A user table 92 contains a record for each registered user of thenetwork-based marketplace 12, and may include identifier, address andfinancial instrument information pertaining to each such registereduser. A user may, it will be appreciated, operate as a seller, a buyer,or both, within the network-based marketplace 12. In one exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure, a buyer may be a user that hasaccumulated value (e.g., commercial or proprietary currency), and isthen able to exchange the accumulated value for items that are offeredfor sale by the network-based marketplace 12.

The tables 90 also include an items table 94 in which are maintaineditem records (e.g., item information) for goods and services that areavailable to be, or have been, transacted via the marketplace 12. Eachitem record within the items table 94 may furthermore be linked to oneor more user records within the user table 92, so as to associate aseller and one or more actual or potential buyers with each item record.

A transaction table 96 contains a record for each transaction (e.g., apurchase transaction) pertaining to items for which records exist withinthe items table 94. An order table 98 is populated with order records,each order record being associated with an order. Each order, in turn,may be with respect to one or more transactions for which records existwithin the transactions table 96.

Bid records within a bids table 100 each relate to a bid received at thenetwork-based marketplace 12 in connection with an auction-formatlisting supported by an auction application 44. A feedback table 102 isutilized by one or more reputation applications 50, in one exemplaryembodiment, to construct and maintain reputation information concerningusers. In one embodiment, the reputation information may includefeedback records associated with transactions. A history table 104maintains a history of transactions to which a user has been a party.One or more attributes tables 106 record attribute informationpertaining to items for which records exist within the items table 94.Considering only a single example of such an attribute, the attributestables 106 may indicate a currency attribute associated with aparticular item, the currency attribute identifying the currency of aprice for the relevant item as specified in by a seller.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a user table 92, according to anembodiment. The user table 92 includes a user information 160 for eachuser on the network-based marketplace 12. Each user information 160 maystore watch information 162, bid information 164, won information 166,lost information 168, selling information 170, sold information 172, andunsold information 174 that respectively store item identifiersassociated with items on the network-based marketplace 12 that the usermonitors.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an items table 94, according toan embodiment. The items table 94 stores a item information 176 (e.g.,listing information) for each item on the network-based marketplace 12.For example, the item information 176 may store a title, a description,a photograph, or any other information or content descriptive of goodsor services that may be offered for sale on the network-basedmarketplace 12. The item information 176 is specifically shown to storeauction information 178 and purchase information 180. The auctioninformation 178 may store information related to the auctioning of theitem (e.g., minimum bid, current bid, highest bid, start time ofauction, end time of auction, etc.). The purchase information 180 maystore information related to the purchase of the item (e.g., purchaseprice). In one embodiment, a item offered for sale on the network-basedmarketplace 12 may be acquired by submitting the highest bid in anauction or by paying a predetermined purchase price.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a method 200, according to anembodiment, to view a list of items for sale on a network-basedmarketplace. Illustrated on the right may be operations performed on thenetwork-based marketplace 12. Illustrated in the middle may beoperations performed on the network-based social platform 13 andillustrated on the left may be operations performed on the clientmachine 20.

The method 200 may commence, at operation 202, with a first userrequesting to view a list of a second user on the network-based socialplatform 13. Specifically, when operation 202 is executed, the clientmachine 20 receives the request and communicates the request to thenetwork-based social platform 13. The requested list may include one ormore listings of items that appear on a watch list, a bid list, a wonlist, a lost list, a selling list, a sold list an unsold list orfeedback.

At operation 204, the communication module 39, at the network-basedsocial platform 13, may receive the request and at operation 206, theprocessing module 41 identifies the type of list requested. For example,the first user may be requesting to view the bid list of the seconduser. At operation, 208, the processing module 41 determines whether theuser that requested to view the list is authorized to view the list. Forexample, the processing module 41 may compare a predeterminedrelationship between the first user and the second user to preferencesconfigured by the second user to determine a level of disclosure, ifany. In an example where the second user prefers to disclose therequested list to the first user, at operation, 210, the processingmodule 41 communicates the request for a list of items (e.g., bid list)to the network-based marketplace 12.

At operation 212, the network-based marketplace12 may receive therequest and, at operation 214, the network-based marketplacel2 maycommunicate item information 176 for each of the items on the requestedlist.

At operation 216, at the network-based social platform 13, thecommunication module 39 receives item information 176 for the items andat operation 218 the processing module 41 identifies the items on thelist to be disclosed (e.g., displayed) to the first user based on theappropriate item filter information 65. For example, the second user mayprefer to disclose only items in a specific price range (e.g.,$1.00-$99.00) or in a specific category (e.g., Toys).

At operation 220, the processing module 41 identifies item information176 for each item to be disclosed to the first user. For example, thesecond user may prefer to disclose only a picture (e.g., teaserdisclosure) of the items on the bid list. In another example, the seconduser may prefer to disclose a picture and text (e.g., summarydisclosure). At operation, 222, the communication module 39 communicatesthe disclosed item information 176 of the identified items to thenetwork-based marketplace interface module 33 that in turn, communicatesthe same to the social applications 31 that in turn, communicates thesame to the client machine 20.

At operation 224, the client machine 20 displays the disclosed contentof the identified items to the first user.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method 250, according to anembodiment, to determine whether a user is authorized to view a list.The present example illustrates a first user requesting to view a bidlist of a second user. The method 250 corresponds to the operation 208on FIG. 8.

The method 250 commences at operation 252, at the network-based socialplatform 13, with the processing module 41 determining the relationshipbetween a first user on a network-based social platform 13 and a seconduser on the network-based social platform 13. In one embodiment, theprocessing module 41 may use the relationship information 43 associatedwith the first user to identify the predetermined relationship betweenthe first and the second user. In another embodiment, the processingmodule may use the relationship information 43 associated with thesecond user. If the predetermined relationship is determined to be a“favourite friend” then a branch is made to decision operation 254. Ifthe predetermined relationship is determined to be a “friend” then abranch is made to decision operation 258. If the predeterminedrelationship is determined to be a “marketplace community member” then abranch is made to decision operation 262.

At decision operation 254, the processing module 41 determines whetherdisclosure to a “favourite friend” is enabled. In the present example,the processing module 41 may utilize user authorization information 87associated with the second user and the bid list. If the second user hasenabled disclosure then a branch is made to operation 256. Otherwise abranch is made to decision operation 258.

At operation 256, the processing module 41 retrieves item filterinformation 89 and item disclosure information 67 associated with the“favourite friend” relationship for the bid list as configured by thesecond user.

At decision operation 258, the processing module 41 determines whetherdisclosure of the requested list to a “friend” is enabled. In thepresent example, the processing module 41 may utilize the userauthorization information 87 associated with the second user and the bidlist. If the second user has enabled disclosure then a branch is made tooperation 260. Otherwise a branch is made to decision operation 262.

At operation 260, the processing module 41 retrieves item filterinformation 89 and item disclosure information 67 associated with the“friend” relationship for the bid list as configured by the second user.

At decision operation 262, the processing module 41 determines whetherdisclosure of the requested list to a “marketplace community member” isenabled. In the present example, the processing module 41 may utilizeuser the authorization information 63 associated with the second userand the bid list. If the second user has enabled disclosure then abranch is made to operation 260. Otherwise a branch is made to decisionoperation 262.

At operation 266, the processing module 41 retrieves item filterinformation 89 and item disclosure information 67 associated with the“marketplace community member” relationship for the bid list asconfigured by the second user. At operation 264, the processing module41 registers no disclosure of the requested list.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a method 300, according to anembodiment, to receive control information for viewing a list. In oneembodiment, the control information may include user authorizationinformation 87, item filter information 89 and item disclosureinformation 91. Illustrated on the right may be operations performed onthe network-based marketplace 12. Illustrated in the middle may beoperations performed on the network-based social platform 13 andillustrated on the left may be operations performed on the clientmachine 20.

The method 300 may commence, at operation 302, with the client machine302 communicating a request to store control information for aparticular list (e.g., bid list, won list, watch list, etc.). Forexample, client machine 20 may have received the control informationfrom a first user before communicating the control information to thenetwork-based social platform 13. In one embodiment, the controlinformation may specify the type and quantity of information on aparticular list that may be viewed by other users according topredetermined relationships.

At operation 304, at the network-based social platform 13, thecommunication module 39 receives the request and at operation 306 theprocessing module 41 identifies the list according to the request. Atoperation 308, the processing module 41 stores the user authorizationinformation 87, item filter information 65, and item disclosureinformation 67, as previously described, for the specified list.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a user interface 400, according to anembodiment, of a user profile. The user profile may include user profileinformation 42 for the user featured by the user profile. The userprofile may be displayed by the network-based social platform 13 to theuser featured by the profile on the client machines 20, 22. A portion orall of the user profile information 42 may also be displayed to othersusers on the network-based social platform 13 according to arelationship with the user featured by the profile. In one embodiment,the quantity of information that may appear on the profile to a userviewing the profile may increase based on the relationship (e.g.,“social networking platform user,” “marketplace community member,”“friend,” “favorite friend,” etc.). The user interface 400 may includean input box 402 to enter keywords that may be used to search thenetwork-based social platform 13, a user interface element 403 to launchthe XYZ marketplace application, user status information 404, a userinterface element 406 to view lists of items associated with the userthat owns the profile, related user information 408, event information410, posted information 412, and application information 414.

The status information 404 includes information about the user. Theevent information 410 may chronicle actions performed by the userassociated with the profile (e.g., John Doe) or actions performed byother users (e.g., “marketplace community member”, “friend, ” “favoritefriend,” etc.) on the network-based social platform 13. The related userinformation 408 may include information about other users that arerelated (e.g., “friends”) to the user featured by the profile. The eventinformation 410 enables a user viewing the profile to quickly and easilysee some of the most recent actions of the user that owns the profile orother users. The posted information 412 may include content posted bythe user associated with the profile (e.g., “John Doe”). Accordingly,the posted information 412 enables the user to share content with otherusers on the network-based social platform 13. For example, postedcontent may include websites, blogs, videos, and songs that may be foundon the Internet. Posted content may also include content from thenetwork-based social platform 13 including profiles, photos, notes,groups, and events. In one embodiment content may be posted by copyingand pasting a URL, selecting a share button located on user interfacesof the network-based social platform 13 or selecting a share buttonlocated on a third party server 40. The application information 414 isshown to include information for the application “XYZ Marketplace” Thecontent of the application information 414 may be communicated from thenetwork-based marketplace 12 based on an identifier associated with theuser associated with the user profile. The application information 414is shown to include user interface elements 426 (e.g., images) of itemsthat may appear on any of the lists associated with the user (e.g.,watch, bid, won, etc.). If a user other than the user associated withthe profile is viewing the profile then the user interface elements 426may be displayed based on the relationship of the viewing user with theuser associated with the profile (e.g., “John Doe”), as previouslydescribed. In the present example, the user interface elements 426 maybe associated with a minimal level of disclosure (e.g., teaserdisclosure). In another example, the application information 414 maydisplay a search box to search for listings of items. For example, theapplication information 414 may display a search box to search forlistings of items responsive to determining no listings are on any ofthe lists associated with the user (e.g., watch, bid, won, etc.). Theuser interface elements 426 may be respectively selected by the userviewing the profile to display additional information (e.g., summarydisclosure). In one embodiment, selection of the user interface element426 may not do anything (e.g., teaser disclosure).

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a user interface 450, according to anembodiment, to view a watch list of a user. For example, the userinterface 450 is displayed to a “John Doe” and the watch list is ownedby “John Doe.” The watch list includes user interface elements 452 thatidentities the viewing user (e.g., John Doe), user interface elements454 that may be respectively selected to view the named lists (e.g.,bidding, won, etc.) of items, and listings 456 of items offered for saleon a network-based marketplace 12. The listings 456 of items includeitem information 176 descriptive of the item for sale on the networkbased marketplace 12.

FIG. 13 is diagram illustrating a user interface 500, according to anembodiment, to view shopping information. The user interface 500 may bedisplayed by the network based social platform 13 and includes a userinterface element 502 that identifies the logged in user (e.g.,username, John Doe, associated with username and password provided atlogin) and multiple interface elements 504 each of which is associatedwith a user that may be a “friend” or “favorite friend” of the viewinguser. Each user interface element 504 includes a user interface element506 that may be selected to view the lists of items (e.g., watch, bid,etc.) of the user featured by the user interface element 504.

FIG. 14 is diagram illustrating a user interface 550, according to anembodiment, to view a watch list of another user. For example, the userinterface 550 is displayed to a “John Doe” (e.g., logged in user) andthe watch list is owned by “Jane Doe.” The user interface 550 may bedisplayed by the network based social platform 13 and includes listings558 of items each of which include a text string 560 and a selectableuser interface element 562. As shown, the listing 558 includes limiteditem information 176 (e.g., image) because the user that owns the watchlist (e.g., “Jane Doe”) has configured a “teaser disclosure” setting forthe list based on a relationship with the user that is viewing the watchlist. In another embodiment, the user may disclose additional iteminformation 176 (e.g., description of item, highest bid, auction endtime, etc.) or no item information 176 . If the user configures no iteminformation 176 then user interface 500 may include a message indicatingthat the user is not sharing the watch list. The user interface element562 may be selected to communicate a message to the owner of the watchlist (e.g., “Jane Doe”). The message may identify the listing of theitem and a message from the user.

FIG. 15 is diagram illustrating a user interface 600, according to anembodiment, to communicate a message. For example, the user interface600 is displayed to a “John Doe” who is communicating a message to a“Jane Doe.” The user interface 660 may be displayed by the network basedsocial platform 13 and includes user interface elements 602 thatidentifies the logged in user (e.g., John Doe) and a message 604 thatincludes an input box 606. The message may be automatically addressed as“From” the viewing user and “To” another user whom the viewing useridentified on a previous user interface.

FIG. 16 is diagram illustrating a user interface 650, according to anembodiment, to receive configurable parameters. The user interface 650may be displayed by the network based social platform 13 and used toreceive configurable parameters that are selected by the viewing user.The configurable parameters are related to the type and quantity ofinformation disclosed to users on the network-based social platform 13.The user interface 650 and includes user interface elements 652 thatidentifies the logged in user (e.g., John Doe). Accordingly, thereceived parameters are applicable to disclosure of information for thelists owned by the viewing user and feedback on the viewing user. Theuser interface 650 enables selection of configurable parameters by theviewing user on the network-based social platform 13 according to listsowned by the viewing user and relationships with other users on thenetwork-based social platform 13. Specifically, the relationships mayinclude “community marketplace community member,” “friend,” and“favourite friend.” The lists include a watch list 654, a bid list 656,a won list 658, a lost list 660, a selling list 662, a sold list 664,and an unsold list 666. The user interface 650 further enables selectionof configurable parameters for feedback left by other users on thenetwork-based marketplace 12 for the viewing user. Feedback represents ausers permanent reputation on the network-based marketplace 12. Feedback(e.g., feedback records) may include comments and ratings left by othernetwork-based marketplace 12 users from whom the viewing user has boughtitems and/or to whom the viewing user has sold items.

According to one embodiment, the user interface 650 is shown to includea summary disclosure parameter 670, a teaser disclosure parameter 672, aprice filter 674, and a category filter 676. A set of parameters andfilters may be configured for each list / feedback according to arelationship. The summary disclosure 670 and teaser disclosure 672 maybe mutually exclusive. Accordingly, the user may select one or the otherbut not both. Selection of the summary disclosure 670 may cause maximumamount of item information 176 to be disclosed (e.g., Title,Description, reserve price, highest bid, purchase price, graphic,picture, etc.) and selection of the teaser disclosure 672 may cause aminimum amount of item information 176 to be disclosed. For example, animage, graphic or picture may be disclosed without additional iteminformation 176. Not selecting the summary disclosure 670 or the teaserdisclosure 672 may prevents disclosure of item information 176. Theprice filter 674 may be configured “OFF” or to a specific price range.The price filter may include a pull-down menu with price ranges (e.g.,0-$0.99, $1.00-$9.99, $10.00-$99.00, etc.) that are displayed forselection by the user. For example, selection of a price range 0-$0.99may cause display of listings of items with a minimum bid or sellingprice within the price range. The category filter may be configured“OFF” or to a specific category. For example, the category filter 676may include a pull-down menu with categories (e.g., toys, books,automobiles) that are displayed for selection by the user. For example,selection of a category “toys” may cause display of listings of items inthe category “toys” on the network-based marketplace 12. Otherembodiments may enable selection of the above described optionsaccording to other combinations of the identified groups of users andthe identified groups of listings.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system 1000 within which a set of instructions, forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, may be executed. In alternative embodiments, themachine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g.,networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-clientnetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. The machine may be a server computer,a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box(STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a webappliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a singlemachine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more ofthe methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1000 includes a processor 1002 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both),a main memory 1004 and a static memory 1006, which communicate with eachother via a bus 1008. The computer system 1000 may further include avideo display unit 1010 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or acathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1000 also includes analphanumeric input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1014 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1016, a signal generationdevice 1018 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 1020.

The disk drive unit 1016 includes a machine-readable medium 1022 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 1024)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein. The software 1024 may also reside, completely or at leastpartially, within the main memory 1004 and/or within the processor 1002during execution thereof by the computer system 1000, the main memory1004 and the processor 1002 also constituting machine-readable media.

The software 1024 may further be transmitted or received over a network14 via the network interface device 1020.

While the machine-readable medium 1022 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to,solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wavesignals.

A Three-Tier Architecture

In some embodiments, a method is illustrated as implemented in adistributed or non-distributed software application designed under athree-tier architecture paradigm, whereby the various components ofcomputer code that implement this method may be categorized as belongingto one or more of these three tiers. Some embodiments may include afirst tier as an interface (e.g., an interface tier) that is relativelyfree of application processing. Further, a second tier may be a logictier that performs application processing in the form oflogical/mathematical manipulations of data inputted through theinterface level, and communicates the results of theselogical/mathematical manipulations to the interface tier, and/or to abackend, or storage tier. These logical/mathematical manipulations mayrelate to certain business rules, or processes that govern the softwareapplication as a whole. A third, storage tier, may be a persistentstorage medium or, non-persistent storage medium. In some cases, one ormore of these tiers may be collapsed into another, resulting in atwo-tier architecture, or even a one-tier architecture. For example, theinterface and logic tiers may be consolidated, or the logic and storagetiers may be consolidated, as in the case of a software application withan embedded database. This three-tier architecture may be implementedusing one technology, or, as will be discussed below, a variety oftechnologies. This three-tier architecture, and the technologies throughwhich it is implemented, may be executed on two or more computer systemsorganized in a server-client, peer to peer, or so some other suitableconfiguration. Further, these three tiers may be distributed betweenmore than one computer system as various software components.

Modules, Components and Logic

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof modules, components or mechanisms. A module, logic, component ormechanism (herein after collectively referred to as a “module”) may be atangible unit capable of performing certain operations and is configuredor arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or morecomputer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system)or one or more components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or agroup of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an applicationor application portion) as a “module” that operates to perform certainoperations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a “module” may be implemented mechanically orelectronically. For example, a module may comprise dedicated circuitryor logic that is permanently configured (e.g., within a special-purposeprocessor) to perform certain operations. A module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a modulemechanically, in the dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, orin temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) maybe driven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “module” should be understood to encompass atangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or to performcertain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in whichmodules or components are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed),each of the modules or components need not be configured or instantiatedat any one instance in time. For example, where the modules orcomponents comprise a general-purpose processor configured usingsoftware, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respectivedifferent modules at different times. Software may accordingly configurethe processor to constitute a particular module at one instance of timeand to constitute a different module at a different instance of time.

Modules can provide information to, and receive information from, othermodules. Accordingly, the described modules may be regarded as beingcommunicatively coupled. Where multiple of such modules existcontemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signaltransmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) that connectthe modules. In embodiments in which multiple modules are configured orinstantiated at different times, communications between such modules maybe achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval ofinformation in memory structures to which the multiple modules haveaccess. For example, a one module may perform an operation, and storethe output of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further module may then, at a later time,access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output.Modules may also initiate communications with input or output devices,and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information).

Component Design

Some example embodiments may include the above illustrated tiers, andprocesses or operations that make them up, as being written as one ormore software components. Common too many of these components is theability to generate, use, and manipulate data. These components, and thefunctionality associated with each, may be used by client, server, orpeer computer systems. These various components may be implemented by acomputer system on an as-needed basis. These components may be writtenin an object-oriented computer language such that a component oriented,or object-oriented programming technique can be implemented using aVisual Component Library (VCL), Component Library for Cross Platform(CLX), Java Beans (JB), Java Enterprise Beans (EJB), Component ObjectModel (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), or othersuitable technique. These components may be linked to other componentsvia various Application Programming interfaces (APIs), and then compiledinto one complete server, client, and/or peer software application.Further, these APIs may be able to communicate through variousdistributed programming protocols as distributed computing components.

Distributed Computing Components and Protocols

Some example embodiments may include remote procedure calls being usedto implement one or more of the above illustrated components across adistributed programming environment as distributed computing components.For example, an interface component (e.g., an interface tier) may resideon a first computer system that is remotely located from a secondcomputer system containing a logic component (e.g., a logic tier). Thesefirst and second computer systems may be configured in a server-client,peer-to-peer, or some other suitable configuration. These variouscomponents may be written using the above illustrated object-orientedprogramming techniques, and can be written in the same programminglanguage, or a different programming language. Various protocols may beimplemented to enable these various components to communicate regardlessof the programming language used to write these components. For example,an component written in C++may be able to communicate with anothercomponent written in the Java programming language through utilizing adistributed computing protocol such as a Common Object Request BrokerArchitecture (CORBA), a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), or someother suitable protocol. Some embodiments may include the use of one ormore of these protocols with the various protocols outlined in the OSImodel, or TCP/IP protocol stack model for defining the protocols used bya network to transmit data.

A System of Transmission Between a Server and Client

Some embodiments may utilize the OSI model or TCP/IP protocol stackmodel for defining the protocols used by a network to transmit data. Inapplying these models, a system of data transmission between a serverand client, or between peer computer systems is illustrated as a seriesof roughly five layers comprising: an application layer, a transportlayer, a network layer, a data link layer, and a physical layer. In thecase of software having a three tier architecture, the various tiers(e.g., the interface, logic, and storage tiers) reside on theapplication layer of the TCP/IP protocol stack. In an exampleimplementation using the TCP/IP protocol stack model, data from anapplication residing at the application layer is loaded into the dataload field of a TCP segment residing at the transport layer. This TCPsegment also contains port information for a recipient softwareapplication residing remotely. This TCP segment is loaded into the dataload field of an IP datagram residing at the network layer. Next, thisIP datagram is loaded into a frame residing at the data link layer. Thisframe is then encoded at the physical layer, and the data transmittedover a network such as an internet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide AreaNetwork (WAN), or some other suitable network. In some cases, internetrefers to a network of networks. These networks may use a variety ofprotocols for the exchange of data, including the aforementioned TCP/IP,and additionally ATM, SNA, SDI, or some other suitable protocol. Thesenetworks may be organized within a variety of topologies (e.g., a startopology), or structures.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that may allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it may not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: one or more computerprocessors; one or more computer memories; one or more instructionsincluded in the one or more memories, the one or more instructionsconfiguring the one or more computer processors to perform operationsfor controlling access to listings owned by a user, the operationscomprising: identifying the listings owned by the user; presenting thelistings in a user interface on a client device of the user, thepresenting including providing selectable user interface elements forsetting configurable parameters corresponding to each of the listings,each of the configurable parameters corresponding to one of a set oftypes of relationships between the user and other users in a socialnetwork; based on a selection of a first parameter of the configurableparameters, the first parameter corresponding to a first type of the setof types of relationships between the user and the other users, causinga maximum amount of item information to be displayed on client devicesof the other users that are of the first type; based on a selection of asecond parameter of the configurable parameters, the secondcorresponding to a second one of the set of types of relationships,causing a minimum amount of item information to be displayed on clientdevices of the other users that are of the second type.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first parameter is a summary disclosure parameter.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second parameters is a teaserdisclosure parameter.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the maximumamount of item information includes a photograph and text.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the minimum amount of item information does notinclude text, but does include one of a photograph, graphic, or picture.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the minimum amount of information isone or more of a description of the item, highest bid for the item, orauction end time for the item.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein themaximum amount of item information includes at least one of a title, adescription, a reserve price, a highest bid, a purchase price, or agraphic.
 8. A method for controlling access to listings owned by a user,the method comprising: Identifying, using one or more computerprocessors, the listings owned by the user; presenting, using the one ormore computer processors, the listings in a user interface on a clientdevice of the user, the presenting including providing selectable userinterface elements for setting configurable parameters corresponding toeach of the listings, each of the configurable parameters correspondingto one of a set of types of relationships between the user and otherusers in a social network; based on a selection of a first parameter ofthe configurable parameters, the first parameter corresponding to afirst type of the set of types of relationships between the user and theother users, causing, using the one or more computer processors, amaximum amount of item information to be displayed on client devices ofthe other users that are of the first type; based on a selection of asecond parameter of the configurable parameters, the secondcorresponding to a second one of the set of types of relationships,causing, using the one or more computer processors, a minimum amount ofitem information to be displayed on client devices of the other usersthat are of the second type.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the firstparameter is a summary disclosure parameter.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein the second parameters is a teaser disclosure parameter.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the maximum amount of item informationincludes a photograph and text.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein theminimum amount of item information does not include text, but doesinclude one of a photograph, graphic, or picture.
 13. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the minimum amount of information is one or more of adescription of the item, highest bid for the item, or auction end timefor the item.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the maximum amount ofitem information includes at least one of a title, a description, areserve price, a highest bid, a purchase price, or a graphic.
 15. Anon-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a set of instructionsthat, when executed by one or more computer processors, causes the oneor more computer processors to perform operations for controlling accessto listings owned by a user, the operations comprising: Identifying thelistings owned by the user; presenting the listings in a user interfaceon a client device of the user, the presenting including providingselectable user interface elements for setting configurable parameterscorresponding to each of the listings, each of the configurableparameters corresponding to one of a set of types of relationshipsbetween the user and other users in a social network; based on aselection of a first parameter of the configurable parameters, the firstparameter corresponding to a first type of the set of types ofrelationships between the user and the other users, causing a maximumamount of item information to be displayed on client devices of theother users that are of the first type; based on a selection of a secondparameter of the configurable parameters, the second corresponding to asecond one of the set of types of relationships, causing a minimumamount of item information to be displayed on client devices of theother users that are of the second type.
 16. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first parameter is asummary disclosure parameter.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the second parameters is a teaser disclosureparameter.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the maximum amount of item information includes a photograph andtext.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the minimum amount of item information does not include text,but does include one of a photograph, graphic, or picture.
 20. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the minimumamount of information is one or more of a description of the item,highest bid for the item, or auction end time for the item.